Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Kenosha, Wisconsin, January 21, 2024
On January 21, 2024 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 1997 Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N8350M, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (aborted after touchdown) near Kenosha, Wisconsin (Kenosha Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 21, 2024 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Kenosha, Wisconsin · Kenosha Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, built 1997 · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N8350M · registry record · serial 2665
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was not satisfied with the helicopter’s alignment on the mobile helipad during landing and elected to complete a second attempt. During the second landing, he lost control of the helicopter as it settled onto the helipad. The helicopter ascended, rolled to the right, and then impacted the ground on its skids which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor blades, and tailrotor blades. There were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Abrupt maneuver during landing (aborted after touchdown) defining event
- Landing area undershoot during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Yaw control › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Task environment › Physical workspace › Positioning/available space › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,448 hours in all; 162 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 1,396 as pilot in command; 97 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 6, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,998.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 26, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 5,998 hours total
- Operator: Vortex Leasing LLC
The flight
- Departed from: WI85 Janesville WI at 5:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 12 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 19°F (-7°C), dew point 3°F (-16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.47 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from KENW
Weather report (METAR): KENW 211853Z 22012G22KT 10SM CLR M07/M16 A3047 RMK AO2 SLP335 T10721161
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on October 22, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NTSB 6120 1 Form | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Mor Pilot Video Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.